ELIANA The next word I heard sealed my fate. “Herold, here is your new mate,” my father said. The sentence was hanging in the air like a challenge. It wasn't a revelation; I had suspected it all along. This man hated me, and now it seemed he was determined to ruin my life forever."But, Father..." I trailed off, my words lost on him. He didn't even flinch; he just pinned me with a gaze that was both unyielding and absolute. The finality in his eyes was unmistakable - there would be no argument, no negotiation, no escape. It was clear: his decision was made, and I was bound to it.I summoned a courage I hadn't felt in ages and blurted out: "Beta Harold, I...he's not my mate." I wouldn't normally speak to my father that way but desperation had taken over. I was grasping at anything, no matter how reckless, to alter the course of events that seemed inevitable.Beta Harold's face contorted into a deep frown. "Young lady, you should be grateful I'm willing to make you my chosen mate, nobo
ELIANA "I made dinner, let's go eat," Victoria announced, her piercing gaze settled on me, her eyes flashing with malice. I braced myself for the inevitable insult, and it came with biting precision: "This meal is for the fertile, but I suppose the barren can join us too." Vivian's annoying giggle echoed through the room, and I felt a sting from Victoria's venomous words.The sting I felt wasn't from Victoria's insult - I knew the truth about myself - but from the painful realization that the only family I had derived so much joy in seeing me hurt. Vivian's giggles and Victoria's venomous words hung in the air, a harsh reminder of the toxic dynamics that had become all too familiar.My father's words cut deep, a familiar sting that never seemed to lose its potency. “I wouldn't normally let you eat at the same table as me and my family,” he said, each word a reminder of my perpetual outsider status. I gulped dry air, the pain of years of maltreatment and rejection still fresh, still r
ELIANA Vivian's voice dripped with malice as she said, "Congratulations on finding a new mate." Her words hung in the air like a challenge, and I knew she was mocking me. I chose to ignore the jab, my silence a deliberate refusal to rise to her bait. Beta Harold's gaze narrowed, his eyes fixed on Victoria as she served him. "Is she barren?" he asked gruffly, his voice like a slap. "That wouldn't be good because I would want her to bear me children,” he added. The savory aroma of roasted meat wafted through the air, but I felt a chill run down my spine as I waited for Victoria's response. My heart sank, heavy with the weight of Beta Harold's words. Bear him children? The thought was suffocating. I felt a desperate longing to escape, to flee back to the infuriating yet captivating Axel. His chiseled features and piercing gaze flashed in my mind, a tantalizing reminder. Victoria's eyes darted nervously between me and my father, her discomfort palpable. But before the silence could
AXELI had blown the plan. I wasn't supposed to mention Laura's name. It was a critical mistake, one I couldn't afford to make. She couldn't know my true identity, not now, not ever.The most agonizing part was that her memory still haunted me. The scent of her smooth cologne lingered, refusing to fade away.‘Oh, Moon Goddess, please, take this torment from me.’ No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the thought of her from my mind. It was as if I couldn't escape the memories that haunted me.Her slender legs and silky skin were etched in my mind, refusing to be forgotten. But I knew I had to try and shake off the image - it wasn't the right time, and seeing her again wasn't a necessity… not now. Yet, my emotions seemed to have a mind of their own, and they were getting the better of me.‘I need you in my study,’ I mind linked my beta, Tom.His response was instantaneous: ‘On my way, Alpha.’Within minutes, Tom appeared in my study. I couldn't help but appreciate his efficiency;
ELIANA I stood there, the sound of my ragged breathing filled my ears, a harsh reminder of the suffocating discomfort that gripped me. My life, my situation, everything seemed to be closing in on me. He came closer - a man old enough to be my father, shamelessly trying to make out with a girl young enough to be his daughter. The garden, once a beautiful sight, now seemed to be mocking me with its beauty.My throat was dry, and tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. I bit back the emotion, refusing to let it consume me. But the harder I tried the more vulnerable I felt.He leaned in, his nose grazing my skin as he sniffed along my shoulder. “You know, your skin is like buttermilk,” he said, a foolish grin spreading across his face. The words were meant as a compliment, but they only deepened the crease of disgust on my face.“You should be grateful I'm here with you," he sneered, his hand sliding up my arm as his gaze locked onto mine. "Nobody else wants you and I don't think anybod
ELIANA As I spun around, my eyes met his, and my heart stumbled. It was a face I'd tried to forget yet somehow couldn't shake from my memory: AXEL.He looked breathtaking as always; his presence sent a shiver down my spine. "Calm down, Miss," he said, his voice low and smooth, flashing his hazel eyes at me with a hint of mischief on his emotionless face.I retracted, stopping myself from shifting, but it was too late. The force of the motion had torn the fabric of my shirt, leaving a gaping hole that exposed more than half of my left boobs. Axel's gaze flickered downward, his eyes lingering on the torn fabric; there was a slight shift in his emotionless face, a flicker of something that vanished before I could grasp it. This man was a fortress, his thoughts locked away behind walls of steel. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking, and that secrecy only made him more intriguing."You didn't have to startle me like that," I said, wincing as I felt the crease on my forehead deep
AXEL She was proving stubborn, refusing to open up to me. Just like her father, secretive and tight-lipped. But that wasn't an issue, not for someone like me. A simple mind link would reveal what was bothering her. I was certain she hadn't sought out this spot just to breathe in some fresh air. I was sure she was just making up stories; it was so obvious she was terrible at lying for her not to want to spill it. It might be something that will facilitate my work here so I can return to the pressing issues.My people needed me.Something was off about her; I could sense it, feel it. Her unease was palpable, and yet, I couldn't help but notice the small smile that played on my lips within a few minutes I spent with her. It was a rare sight, one that I reserved for a few occasions. My father's words echoed in my mind: "We enjoy the prey a little before making them suffer.”I couldn't concentrate fully on my gaze, staring at secret glances at her naked chest. I desperately wanted to tear
ELIANA My heart was still racing; I couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that settled in the pit of my stomach. My father's face flashed before my eyes, his cold, calculating gaze making my skin crawl. I knew him, knew the depths of his cruelty and the lengths he'd go to get what he wanted. And what he wanted was me back under his control. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I wondered with a sense of inevitability when he'd finally come for me.I couldn't blame myself for lying to Axel. It wasn't something I'd planned on doing, but how could I have told him the truth? That my own father had sent those men to capture me? The weight of that betrayal was still too much to bear. So, I'd spun a web of deceit, hoping to protect Axel from the darkness that had haunted me for so long. But now, as I stood before him, I wondered how long it would take for him to find out that I was full of deceit.I swallowed hard as Axel moved closer, his husky voice sending a shock down my spine
AXELAs I stepped through the entrance of the magnificent lycan building, I couldn't shake off the feeling of disappointment and frustration. The journey back to my pack had finally come to an end, but I was returning empty-handed, without fulfilling the purpose that had driven me to leave in the first place. I made a silent promise to myself as I walked in, "I promised Father I would keep it," I repeated, the words echoing in my mind like a mantra.As I entered the area where I expected to find the asshole and the rest of my deltas, I was met with an unsettling sight. The room was in disarray, and the atmosphere was thick with tension. But what caught my attention was the absence of the one person I had expected to see - my unknown goddess forbidden being. He was nowhere to be found, and a part of me wasn't surprised. I scanned the room, my eyes searching for any sign of my deltas, the ones who were supposed to be loyal and by my side. But to my surprise, most of them were nowhere
ELIANAAlesia's suggestion sparked a flurry of questions in my mind, and I found myself replaying the memory of the wolves. Yes, the smaller one was undoubtedly my father, but the larger wolf's presence lingered, haunting me with an uncanny sense of familiarity. Its features seemed etched in my memory, yet I couldn't quite grasp the connection. The wolf's piercing gaze, its rugged coat, and the way it moved with a quiet confidence all resonated deep within me, echoing a memory that remained just out of reach. As I struggled to place it, a shiver ran down my spine, leaving me with more questions than answers. Who was this mysterious wolf, and why did it feel so... familiar?"I don't quite remember what his wolf looks like," I replied, my mind racing as I tried to conjure up a mental image. I had seen his wolf form before, specifically during that trip when we went to collect the portion together. But for some reason, the memory remained elusive, taunting me with its absence. Frustr
Elaina“Aaaaaaaah.”I screamed, the sound tearing from my throat as I sat up with a start, my heart racing. The nightmare still lingered, its darkness clinging to me like a shroud. I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that lingered long after I woke up.I stood up, my hand clutching my head as if trying to hold in the thoughts that swirled chaotically. "What could it possibly mean?" I repeated to myself, the echoes of the nightmare still resonating deep within me. The uncertainty was maddening.The same nightmare, the same wolf. A sudden realization hit me, and my eyes widened as a single thought crystallized in my mind. "Maybe it's trying to tell me that my so-called calm father is on the chase for me again," I muttered aloud, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. "Yes, that's it. Maybe that's the interpretation of the dream." I guess so.The fear that gripped me in the dream felt...different. It was a primal, visceral terror that seemed to seep into my bones. I knew my father w
AXELMy eyes widened in shock as I stared at him, incredulous. "How is that possible?" I demanded, my voice laced with skepticism. I thought back to the precautions I'd taken, ensuring the Shakhar altar was heavily guarded. "I made sure it was secure," I added, my mind racing with questions."When did this happen?" I asked Tom, who met my gaze with a somber expression. His face told me he was well aware of the significance of the altar, and the weight of the news hung heavily between us."Last night, Alpha," Tom replied, his voice grave. I pressed him for more information, my mind racing with possibilities. "Is there any clue who did this?" I asked, knowing that the destruction of the altar was no accident. The question hung in the air, and I felt my thoughts spinning out of control as I tried to pinpoint the culprit."We need to go check it out," I took a step forward, but Tom's hand on my arm stopped me. "I don't think we should rush back without a plan or knowing who did this and
AXELAs the door closed behind her, I justified her fate to myself. My eyes remained fixed on the empty space, my mind eerily blank, as if the void in front of me had sucked out all thought.I drew a deep breath, the unexpected turn of events catching me off guard.My prey had turned out to be a captivating prize, her beauty illuminated under the moon's gentle glow. Yet, with thirty days to secure my objective, I was resolute in my commitment to my father and myself – every word spoken would be binding, every promise made would be fulfilled.The knock at the door soured my expression, and I assumed it was Eliana on the other side. The scowl on my face was a reflex, born from the knowledge that seeing her would only prolong the mental image of her that I was trying to shake."Come in," I said, my voice detached. The door creaked open, and my furrowed brow relaxed slightly as I saw Tom standing there, his face etched with concern. The look in his eyes was enough to tell me that somethi
ELIANAAs he spoke, each word felt like a weight dropping into the depths of my soul, making my heart sink further with every passing moment. The stern expression on his face was a mask, one that revealed nothing, not even a glimmer of empathy. I had expected...more. I had hoped that he would listen, that he would care about the stories I'd shared, about the pain my father had inflicted upon me. But his indifference was a cold, harsh reality. He didn't seem to care that I'd been treated like a slave, that my life had been one of servitude and hardship. The words he spoke were simple, yet they cut deep, piercing my already wounded heart like knives. "I will do as you say, Alpha. We don't know each other, and I only work for you." I spoke the words, but they felt like ash in my mouth, bitter and hollow.His words hung in the air, a subtle warning that seemed to vibrate with unspoken consequences. "You wouldn't want to do otherwise," he said, his tone low and even, yet somehow menacin
AXELHer words sounded rehearsed, a practiced speech delivered with a convincing tone, but I wasn't buying it. She spoke with a sincerity that seemed almost too good to be true, a facade that hid the truth. I knew Cannis had already filled me in on the details, and her story didn't match what I knew. The disconnect between her words and the truth was like a jarring note, and I couldn't help but feel like she was hiding something.Her face fell, a disheartening expression washing over her features like a dark cloud. It was clear she could tell I wasn't buying what she was selling, and the realization seemed to deflate her. Her plan, whatever it was, was unraveling before her eyes, and I couldn't help but feel a twisted sense of satisfaction at the sight of her disappointment. The look on her face was a perfect reflection of her failed attempt to deceive me, and I reveled in the small victory.I took a deep breath, my gaze locked onto hers, and I could feel the familiar spark of ange
ELIANAI yanked my attention back to Axel, trying to shake off the haunting image of the woman's sorrowful face. My mind, however, lingered on the painting, wondering about its significance and the story behind it. I forced myself to focus on Axel, his irritated expression a stark contrast to the emotions the painting had stirred within me.The scent that filled the room was unmistakably his, a familiar and comforting aroma that seemed to envelop me. Despite the palpable tension that hung in the air, the familiarity of his presence was a balm to my senses, making me feel like I was exactly where I was meant to be. The combination of his scent and the tension created a sense of anticipation, like the calm before a storm.The anger and irritation still simmered beneath the surface of his expression, but he managed to temper it slightly as he posed the questions. His voice was low and even, yet laced with a hint of accusation. "Why did your father call you back, and why did you marry
ELIANAThe shock and disappointment were palpable. Being taken back as a maid was far from the reunion I had envisioned. The pain of his words cut deep, and I couldn't help but wonder what had changed. Was I no longer worthy of the little care he had shown? The weight of his decision settled heavy on my heart, and I felt like I was losing myself all over again.The silence between us was oppressive, a heavy blanket that suffocated me. His indifference stung, making me feel invisible. As we arrived at his mansion, I felt a mix of emotions: relief at escaping the tense atmosphere in the car, but also apprehension about what lay ahead. The grandeur of his mansion loomed before me, a stark contrast to the chill that had settled in my heart.“Follow me,” he had instructed as soon as Tom had opened his door.I followed him, curiosity getting the better of me, as he led me through the doorway. Tom's eyes met mine, but he didn't say a word, his expression unreadable. I trailed behind him, my